Transmission mechanism.



T. LAFITTE.

TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 5.11. I914.

Patented May 22, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES INVENTOR' (AF/r7 ATTORNEYs T. LAFITTE.

TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

APPLICATION men FEB-11.1914.

1,22%Q56o Patented. May 22, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- f ci raw THEM/9E LAP/77' l two brakes or the like,

THEODORE LAFIT'IE, on rAnIs, FRANCE.

TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 22, 1917.

Application filed February 11, 1914. Serial No. 818,068.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEODORE LAFITTE, a citizen of the Republic ofFrance, residing at 6 Rue Gager-Gabillot, Paris, in the Republic ofFrance, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inTransmission Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide a transmission mechanismhaving several speeds and reversing motions, applicable in particular toautomobile vehicles. Such device is essentially constituted by a motorof the rotary kind, the cylinders and the crank shaft of which, in thecase of an explosion engine for instance, can be rendered stationary ormovable, by means of the pulleys of which are fixed on the same. In theprolongation of the driving axis lie two shafts, concentric, in relationwith two bevel pinions of an equal or different ratio, the large crownsof which are fixed on a diflerential, located on the transverse shaftcontrolling the wheels in the case of a vehicle. Through the medium ofsleeves provided with jaws, the concentric shafts in the prolongation ofthe axis of the engine, and which carry the bevel pinions, can beconnected with either the cylinders or the operating crank shaft. Thecombination by a suitable control of the two brakes and of the sleevesprovided with jaws, allows for a constant speed of the engine and ofdriving the shaft of the driven wheels at several forward and backwardspeeds, by means of a clutch and a brake on the transmission gear.

The accompanying drawings, given only by way of illustration, willsupply a clear comprehension of the arrangement and operation of themechanism according to this invention, in which Figure 1 is a plan viewof the apparatus as a whole and as applied to an automobile vehicle.

Fig. 2 shows an elevation of the same apparatus as a whole.

Fig. 1 is a detail sectional view of the diiferential.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a modification of moto-propeller system.

Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal section of the same, and

Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the box casing or box turning with thecylinders ing shown in dotted lines.

The driving cylinders 1 carry a brake pulley 2, the jaws 3 of which arecarried by the axle 4, of a truss 5, carrying the driving mechanismmounted in bearings 39 and 40, such mechanism being hung by journals 6,6 from the chassis of the vehicle. At 7 is shown the finger controllingthe jaws 3. On the crank shaft 8 is also fixed a pulley 9, containingthe jaws 10, secured by the axis 11 to the truss support 5, and of whichthe controlling finger is 12. Concentric to the prolongation of the axleof the crank shaft and centered in the truss 5 are two shafts 13 and 14,carrying bevel pinions 15 and 17 respectively meshing with bevel gearwheels 16 and 18. Such gears might be of the same ratio but we willassume that they are of a difi erent ratio, yet suitable, as forinstance 4% greater than 1 1. On the shafts 13 and 14 and slidablethereon are two sleeves provided with clutch teeth. The teeth of one 19can gear with the clutch teeth 20 of the cylinders of the engine, andthe teeth of the other 21 can gear either with the clutch teeth 20 ofthe cylinders or with the clutch teeth 22 of the crank shaft. The casing23 which incloses the bevel gears and the differential 100 has a tube 24which incloses the shafts 13 and 14 and is centered in the truss 5. Twochannels 25 supply the exhaust gas of the engine to the tube 24. Holes26, provided in the rear part of the tube 24, allow the escapement ofthe burnt gases to the atmosphere. The tube 24 serves both as aconnecting means and as an exhaust conduit. The carburetor is secured at27, in the fore part of the truss 5 and the gases are sucked in throughconduits 28. To the crank shaft 8 is secured a fan 29 to turn"therewith. A clutch tooth 30 allows of starting the engine by the usualmeans. The control properly so called,'and which obviously may be of anyother sort, is made, by way of example, by the following members Thetreadle 31 operates through the medium of the parts 32,33, 34, 35 and 36the jaws 3 and 10 of the brakes 2 and 9. A suitable spring 37 restoresthe treadle 31 to such a position that the brake 9 on the crank shaft isso clamped as to stop the latter, and so that the brake 2 is free andallows the rotation of the cylinders 1. A

lever 38 operates the sleeves provided with clutch teeth 19 and 21,which for instance can be moved in unison in the longitudinal direction,while remaining independent of one another for their rotations.

The rotations take place in'th'e direction shown by the arrows, asfollows:-

*Firstlv, in a clockwise direction for the crank;

Secondly, in a direction inverse to the clockwise one for the cylinders.

Sta-1"tz'ng.-The treadle 81 being held pushed to its extreme limit, thebrake 2 on-ithe cylinders 1 is set in motion; the latter are locked andthe crank shaft is released ;the startismade by the clutch tooth 30. Theengineis in rotation.

Rimming bacicwarrl ln operating the lever 38, the clutch-teeth of thesleeve 21 are brought into gear with those of the sleeve '20 of thecylinders 1;'th'en the treadle being released, the spring 37 restoresthe'treadle '31 t'o itsinormalposition. The crank shaft is graduallyrendered stationary, while the released cylinders turn and drive theshaft 14: in .a direction inverse to the clockwise one, which givesthrough the bevel gears 17*18 the backward running of the drivingwheels. The clutch 'isreleasedbypuslr .ing'the'treadle 31'to half itsstroke; in 'this position both the brakes 2 and '9 are released and thecrank shaft is permittedto turn. The brakingis'obtained by pushing thetreadle to its extreme extent; the braking of thecylinders puts thecylinders in connection with the shaft 14 through the mediumof theclutch 21 and acts to stop the vehicle.

Forward running.-(a) First speed (a slow one.) -Atthe sametime=that the.treadle 31 is brought to half its stroke, to the unclutching position,the clutch -teeth of the sleeve 19, on the shaft 13 are brought, by thelever 38, into gear with the clutchteeth 20 of the cylinders of theengine; the clutch teeth of the sleeve 21, previously coupledwith theclutch-teeth 22 of the crank shaft-are heldin mesh with the latter. Boththe shafts '13 and 1 1 become driving shafts,

and :the cylinders and the crank shaft revolve :in a direction inverseto a speed inversely proportional to the ratios of the correspondingbevel gearing. There isthus obtained thefirst speed in the forwardrunning. The unclutching is obtained by putting'the clutch-teeth of-thesleeve '21 out of mesh or gear with those 522 of the crank shaft forinstance. The braking operation is obtained by pushingthe -t1\ adle 31to its extreme extent; the brake on the cylinders acts.

(6) Second speed (averages 0ne.)-With the unclutching, and with thetreadle at one halfof its stroke, by :means of the lever 38, theclutch-teeth of the sleeve '21 of the shaft 14, are brought in gear withthe clutch-teeth 22 of. the crank shaft, then gradually full pressure isbrought to bear on the treadle 31; the cylinders are rendered stationaryand the crank shaft is revolving in 'a clockwise direction in carryingforward the beveled gearing corresponding to the shaft 1 1 in such amanner that the forward irunningsinithe-ratio of the pinions 17 and 18is obtained. The unclutching is obtained by allowing the treadle 31 toberestored to Ithe 1 middle p'art of its stroke. The braking operation*is obtained by releasing completely thesame, which, by .means of thespring 87, puts in operation the brake on thecranlc'shaft: connectedatthis time, with the transmission gear. The engine continues itsrotation as at such timethe cylinders are free.

(0) Third speed (high speed.) --If in this last named :position, oneallows the treadle31 ito return to its normaliposition, byineans ofthespring 37, the-crank shaft becomes stationary, the cylinders 1' revolvein a direction :inverse to the clockwise direction and transmit throughthe clut'ch-teeth .20 sand 19 of "the sleeve :and the :shaft 13, theirmotion to the bevel wheels iii-16, which gives the high speed of theforward running. The unclutching is donebyipushing ithe itre'adle 31 tothe middle of its stroke. tlheFbi-aking operation is broughtaboutbyipushingithe: same toiits full stroke, thus causing'thc operationof the brake'on the cylinders which are-at this timein relation with thetransmission gear. The engine continues its rotation since the crankshaft can revolve freely.

The cooling is obtained as follows Firstly, at high speed, by therotation of the i cylinders "Secondly, at average speed demand of thefan 29 'Thirdly, at slow speed, of-the fan 29;

Fourthly, when :running backward, by the rotation of-thecylmders; and

iFifthly, when the engine is revolving idly, by the rotation of thecylinders.

The Carter box turning with the cylin ders land withthetpulley brake 2is provided with the inner teeth '43. 'The crank brake8carries'outerrgearing 4E6. 'Two pairs of satellites comprising each 'apinion 4E4: gearing with 4:8 and a pinion 18 gearing with 46, :areloosely mounted on the axes 45 carried by a satellite holder 4-2 the hubof which forms a-hollow distribution s'haftand is provided with claws L1and with c'ams47 the flatter serve in a well known manner to actuate thedistribution valves which is possible .if the "holder l-2 turns at a:speed two times less than the speed of the crank brake with respect tothe cylinders.

'One obtains this result by making the by the cylinby the rotationrelation of the number of the teeth of the pinions 43 and 44 equal tothe relation of the number of the teeth of the pinions 46 and 48 Thesleeve 19 provided with claws 19 slides on the hollow shaft 13 and asleeve 21 provided with claws 21 slides on the central shaft 14. A ring50 sliding on the shaft 13 has tenons 50 sliding in the grooves of suchshaft and engaged in a circular neck and displaced by means of a forkedlever 51 having tenons 51 which pass through the grooves of the covering24 and which engage in the said circular groove of the ring 50. Theclaws 21 can thus be displaced from the outside without interfering withthe shaft 13.

Owing to the employment of the planetary system 44, 48, 46 and therespective claws 41, one can obtain a greater number of relative speeds.

Firstly, the brakes 2 and 9 being separated, one obtains the runningspeeds different before (a) in coupling 13 with 20 and 21 with 22; b) incoupling 19 with 20 and 21 with 41; 20) in coupling 19 with 41 and 21with 22.

Secondly, the brake 2 being tightened and the brake 9 being loosened,one obtains four speeds, two of which running forwardly; (cl) incoupling 21 with 22; (e) in coupling 21 with 41, two of which runningbackwardly; (f) in coupling 19 with 22; and (g) in coupling 19 with 41.

Thirdly, the brake 2 being loosened and 9 being tightened, one obtainsfour speeds, two of which forwardly; in coupling 19 with 20; (2') incoupling 19 with 41, two of which running backwardly; (j) in coupling 21with 41; and (7c) in coupling 21 with 20.

Or in all 7 speeds running forwardly and 4. speeds running backwardly.

This arrangement has the following advantages Firstly, used; and

Secondly, a notable gyroscopic effect at high speed, increasing thestability and the easy riding of the vehicle in the case of a light car.

In order that at high speed, the bevel wheel 18 shall not operate theshaft 14, loosely mounted at that time in its bearings, one can by meansof a suitable abutment put the teeth out of gear and thus avoid, ifdesired, a loss of some kilogrammeters.

It is possible in such device to use any engine of which the elements,cylinders and the like, crank shaft or the like, are differentlyrendered stationary.

laims:

1. The combination of a rotary engine having a rotatable crank shaft andcylinders efficient cooling at the speed most rotatable around such tobrake the said shaft separately, two shafts located in axis of the crankwhich the axis is shaft, means whereby and the said cylinders concentrictransmission the prolongation of the shaft, a difierential of placedperpendicularly to such shafts, the differential comprising two bevelwheels and bevel pinions fixed on the said transmission shafts andmeshing respectively with the bevel wheels and means whereby to coupleeach of the said transmis sion shafts alternately with the crank shaftand with the rotary cylinders.

2. The combination of a main frame consisting of a frame, of a tubularprolongation extending outside such frame, and of a casing at the end ofsuch prolongation the said frame having journals located on a lineperpendicular to the said tubular prolongation, a rotary enginecomprising a crank shaft mounted in such frame on the axis of suchtubular prolongation, rotary cylinders mounted on the said frame aroundthe said crank shaft, a diflerential in such casing, means whereby tostop alternately such shaft and the said cylinder and means whereby toconnect operatively the differential alternately with the crank shaft orwith the cylinders and with both at the same time.

3. The combination of a rotary engine having a rotatable crank shaft andcylinders rotatable around such shaft, means for braking alternativelythe said shaft and the said cylinders, a differential the axis of whichis perpendicular to the shaft, the differential. comprising two bevelwheels, two concentric transmission shafts located on the prolongationof the crank shaft, two bevel pinions on such transmission shafts andmeshing with such wheels respectively, two sleeves having clutch-teethassociated respectively with the crank shaft and with the cylinders,sleeves having clutch-teeth slidable respectively on both saidtransmission shafts and means whereby to bring the said slidable sleevesin mesh with the first said sleeves, the clutch-teeth of such sleevesbeing arranged in such a manner that the inner shaft can be coupledalternatively with the crank shaft and with the cylinders, and that theouter shaft can be coupled with the cylinders.

4. The combination of a four cycle rotary engine comprising a rotatablecrank shaft, cylinders rotatable around such shaft, a distribution shaftrevolving at a speed different from that of the cylinders with regard tothe crank shaft, a train of planetary wheels operatively connected withthe said distribution shaft, and having a wheel concentric with thecranl shaft, a differential, and means whereby to operatively connectsuch differential alternatively with the said crank shaft or with thesaid cylinders, or with the said wheel of the planetary train, suchmeans allowing also the connection of the said differential 'at' theSame=time with both such members; th at isitdsay the crankshaft,

'thecylinders and Wheel, andmeans'to'brake altei'natively the "said"saitl eylindei's.

crank *shaft and the The combination of a"1'0ta1y engine connectingoperatively the diffel'ential 'alternatively with the sai'dshaft andwith the "said cylinders, Su'ch *Iatter means" allowing -a1s0th'econnection ofthe Said diflerential with both the shaft and cylinders.

In testimony that 1 eiai'm the f01."-'e,g," ')iI1g as m inventi'n I havesi gned my name in presenee' of two subscribin Witne'sses.

THEODORE LAFIT'IPE.

Witnesses:

QHA's. P. 'PREssLY, "MAURICE BANE.

Copies of this gatent inay'bewbtaind. fo'rfive cents eachfby addressin'gthe 00mmis'sib'r1erwf:Pateilts, "Wahington; iD. C.

